In short: Excellent organisation, wonderful marshals & a huge shiny medal! In full: When I told people I was running Luton, I got a lot of negative feedback about the scenery/location and about the likelihood of it being cancelled (hopefully people will soon forgot about those 2 years)! Although there are sections of the course that are through the housing estate or along the main road, there are also lovely sections through the countryside too. The organisation was absolutely excellent - only had to queue for a few minutes for a toilet, easy to collect my timing chip, lots of parking, the start was done really well, and particular mention to the marshals...absolutely loads of them who provided incredible (and undiminished) support throughout. Lots of water stations with isotonic drinks was a nice plus too. Not many members of the public out supporting, but didn't expect any in the cold, and so it was lovely to see those who were there. Oh, and a lovely big medal! I'm really glad I didn't let others' negativity put me off doing this race, as I had a great day.Date of review: November 19, 2012

In short: Great Organisation and brilliant MarshallsIn full: Not a race I would do again due to is being a 3 lap race. However as far as Organisation went it was teriffic. The marshalls were the best I have come across at any race I have done - usually you get the odd Marshall who does not want to be there but every one here was smiling and encouraging they were brilliant. Date of review: November 19, 2012

In short: Well-organised and friendly race.In full: There's a fair mix of scenery: suburbs, parkland, pavement by a main road, winding country lanes. The scenic lanes are also the most undulating, but there are no real killer hills. Lots of water-stations (with energy drinks if you want them) and encouraging marshals. And a hat to keep me warm the rest of the winter. Thank you Stopsley Striders.Date of review: November 18, 2012

In short: Well organised and very well marshalled. In full: An undulating 3 x lap course,mix of built up and villages,even a thatch roof or two.Cold as usual out in the open,a good day out for December.Date of review: December 31, 2009

In short: Luton Marathon Christmas Runners World, Special Event Rating: (You're in for a treat).In full: Itâ€™s official that â€œLuton Marathon is License to Thrillâ€. For me though, my painful groins were Licensed to Kill :=( My name is Samuel, Karen Samuel, double three eight. My mission was to complete Luton marathon without being injured, but I failed my mission miserably.Stropsley and Striders must be excited, ecstatic and laughing â€˜Ho, Ho, Hoâ€™, with the record turnout of runners this year that participated in the London Marathon â€“ I mean The Luton Marathon. For me it was â€˜Argh, â€˜ Argh, ARRRGGHHHâ€™- 26 miles of excruciating pain. The pain hit me like a thunder ball and it frightened the living daylights out of me.In Luton Marathon there is always someone you know, I met up with quite a few fellow runners. I was able to observe some first class runners with natural raw talent.The first thing you notice when you walk in to the head quarters is the smell and adrenalin in the air, apparently it was Deep Heat according by my other half.This marathon is a 3 lap course, a good marathon for virgin marathoners (cut off time is 5 not 6 hours!) I wouldnâ€™t say the scenery was a view to kill but it is a nice flat course with few inclines and only a couple of hills. If you play your card right you should get a pb time. In fact I did not play my cards right and it went horribly wrong from 3 miles. I felt something go in my left groin my stride and speed suffered and I could not run properly, it was more of a jog and a limp. I thought all injuries were behind me, I just recovered from the flu 2 weeks ago, but I was so wrong! Last Friday I visited my GP who confirmed that I strained my left groin. I just have one or two more 5k races for this year; please note speed will not be the essence (I had to cut it down due to injury) thatâ€™s my lot for 2009. Who said no pain no gain! ENOUGH SAID about my groins (adductors).

Luton Marathon is a great December Marathon to keep you in tip, top condition for the New Year. A quick word of warning, this race fills up quickly, early in the year, so book well in advance to avoid any disappointment!!!The Medal is nice and thick something to get your teeth (or dentures) into it.I hate to moan and groan, but what happened to the nice Luton t-shirt? I see we got the cotton bag instead. I not crazy about the bag and please no more Mars bars, instead could we have a nice chunky wholesome flapjack instead (yummy). It would be nice to have a few bottles of drinking bottles at water stations instead of all plastic cups. I love SPORT SYSTEM chips - brilliant. I also loved my number 338 because it was the same as my last race Bexhill half marathon - which was also chip timing. My embarrassing time results are for your eyes only â€“ Runners World.(Clap, Clap, Clap). â€˜Bravo, Stropsley Striders, you did yourself proudâ€™, I hope you will get your 50 plus votes from Runners World Raters for Luton Marathon.

I would just like to mention that all year in 2009, Bromley Veterans Athletic Club have been celebrating their 20 years anniversary. So please feel free and have a browse through the BVAC web-site and look at our slide show â€“ look for the heading announcements and notices. There is work being done on Bromley vets website so bear with us.

As for races in 2009, I had the best time of my life and I am truly sorry if I could not rate every single race on Runners World Web-site. Letâ€™s hope 2010 will be a wee bit kinder to me, one can always hope and PRAY. I hope to be back on track next year.I would also just like to mention that I like the new updated Runners World Web-Site. Keep up the good work.

Merry Christmas to all of you Runners World Readers. I hope you all have a good one, and keep on running. As for me I am hoping Santa will get me a place for Virgin London Marathon 2011 and new adductors!

In short: Marshalls were superb !In full: I must say the race organisers and marshalls at this event did themselves proud, lots of encouragement throughout by everyone. The weather stayed fine (which was a bonus), although i ran with a fever (which in hindsight was foolish) and hence paid the price with a lacklustre performance during the final lap (after the lemsips wore off). I found some of the twists and turns to be a bit 'tight' and the wind was quite gusty in places, even making downhill running hard. Pretty good value for the entry price to be honest, considering the prices some marathons are these days. Not the most scenic place to run, but a marathon none the less ! Date of review: December 11, 2009

In short: Out of Season Marathon with PB PotentialIn full: If you can cope with a few inclines and the December weather (cold and windy), then worth having at crack at this race for a fast time.Course is not very inspiring, and feed stations are not really adequate, but 3 lap format allows you to have your own support team handing out personalized nutrition.Date of review: December 11, 2009

In short: very friendly, well organised and runner-based race. better than averageIn full: marshalls out in an unhelpful wind for hours but still cheerful and positive says it all really. loops not exactly inspiring but varied enough, not lonely with the relay runners buzzing around, and nice n safeDate of review: December 10, 2009